Sheet film loading apparatus

ABSTRACT

A loading apparatus for selectively taking out a sheet film from among sheet films accommodated in a plurality of magazines and loading the sheet film into a cassette. The sheet taken out from the magazine is adapted to be held in a holding device in a curved state. In a holding section, the sheet film is received from a lower end thereof and is taken out from an upper end thereof so as to be loaded into the cassette. Hence, even if there are a multiplicity of magazines, the film can be fetched speedily and loaded into the cassette, and the apparatus can be made compact. The magazine is drawn out from the apparatus body in a cantilevered manner so as to load the films, thereby facilitating the loading operation.

This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 07/773,004 filed Oct. 8,1991 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,201,506 which is a continuation-in-partapplication of patent application Ser. No. 07/478,399 filed on Feb. 12,1990, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,080,343.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a sheet film loading apparatus fortaking out a sheet film from a magazine and loading the same into acassette.

2. Statement of the Related Art

As an apparatus for loading an X-ray film into a photographing cassette,an apparatus has been proposed in which a sheet film is taken out by asucking means and is loaded into a cassette (Japanese Patent Laid-OpenNo. 249833/1987). The arrangement of this apparatus is such that X-raysheet films are classified by type and the classified X-ray sheet filmsare respectively accommodated in a plurality of magazines. The suckingmeans is adapted to an end portion of a film accommodated in a selectedmagazine to take out the film. The film thus taken out is fed between apair of feed rollers disposed at an entrance portion of the cassette soas to be clamped thereby. For this reason, the sucking means serves asboth a film removing means and a film conveying means. However, a tailportion of the film is liable to be brought into contact with otherparts located in the vicinity thereof until the film which has beentaken out from the magazine by the sucking means is carried into thecassette, thereby imparting damage to the film.

In addition, another apparatus has been proposed in which after thesheet film inside the magazine is taken out by the sucking means, thesheet film is accommodated in a holding frame in an arcuate form. Thisholding frame is transferred to a position corresponding to a cassetteso as to load a sheet film into the cassette (International PublicationNo. WO 06749/1988). With this apparatus, when the sheet film is takenout from the magazine and transferred to the cassette so that the sheetfilm is accommodated in the holding frame, the film is prevented frombeing damaged due to contact with other parts during the transfer.However, since a driving force for accommodating the sheet film into theholding frame and a driving force for sending the sheet film from theholding frame to the cassette are both effected by the sucking means, itis necessary for the sucking means to suck an end of the sheet film and,at the same time, insert the sheet film from one end of the holdingframe and also take the sheet film out from one end of the holding frameat the time of sending it to the cassette. For this reason, in caseswhere a plurality of magazines are disposed in a vertical row, it isnecessary for one end of the holding frame to be vertically movable incorrespondence with all the magazines, resulting in an increased heightof the overall apparatus.

The film supplying magazines that are mounted on such a film loadingapparatus have generally films that are accommodated in the magazines ina dark room. On the other hand, in the case of magazines that allow thefilms covered in a special package to be accommodated in a lighted room,the magazine is first removed from the film loading apparatus, the coveris then opened, and the sheet films are accommodated in the magazine(refer to Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 184143/1984).

However, this type of magazine is generally very heavy due to aplurality of guide rollers and parts for shielding the interior fromlight being disposed inside. Accordingly, the operation of removing andreinstalling the magazine from and onto the film loading apparatusinvolves hard physical labor. In addition, the magazine is provided witha light shielding plate projecting from its intermediate portion so asto close an installation opening provided in the film loading apparatuswhen the magazine is reinstalled onto the film loading apparatus. As aresult, when the magazine is placed on a work table, the magazine cannotbe placed in a horizontal position. Therefor, any operation is carriedout in an unstable condition.

In contrast, an arrangement has been proposed in which a sheet filmcarrier, capable of being drawn out at the time of accommodating thesheet films is provided in a film loading apparatus. (refer to JapanesePatent Laid-Open No. 223741/1988). With this loading apparatus, sincethe sheet films can be accommodated without removing the heavy carrierfrom the film loading apparatus, hard physical labor Can be alleviated.

This proposed loading apparatus, however, has a drawback in that sincethe sheet films need to be accommodated directly in the carrier, thesheet films can be accommodated only in a state in which they arecovered with a special package that permits the films to be accommodatedin a lighted room. In addition, since a plurality of carriers are usableonly for films of specific sizes, the number of the types of films thatcan be used among a multiplicity of film sizes is restricted to thenumber of the carriers provided.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a sheetfilm loading apparatus which makes it unnecessary to increase theoverall height of the apparatus in cases where a multiplicity ofmagazines are disposed in a vertical row and without damaging the filmduring transfer of the film from the magazine to the cassette.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a sheet filmloading apparatus which facilitates a film accommodating operation andis adaptable to different film sizes.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a sheet filmloading apparatus for selectively taking out a sheet film from aplurality of magazines and loading the sheet film into a cassette,having: a taking-out device for taking out a sheet film from one of themagazines; a holding device which is movable separately from thetaking-out device and is adapted to receive via one end of the holdingdevice the sheet film supplied from the taking-out device, hold thesheet film in a state in which at least part of the sheet film iscurved, and supply the sheet film from the other end of the holdingdevice into the cassette; and a driving device which is adapted to makethe taking-out device and the holding device correspond to one of themagazines and space the holding device from the taking-out device so asto cause the holding device to correspond to the cassette.

In accordance with the present invention, one end of the holding deviceis made to correspond to one of the plurality of magazines, and thesheet film taken out from the magazine by the taking-out means isinserted into this one end. Inside the holding device, the sheet film isbent with at least part thereof curved, and the tip portion of the sheetfilm inserted corresponds to the other end of the holding device.Consequently, when the sheet film held by the holding device is loadedinto the cassette, the holding device makes the other end of the holdingdevice correspond to an entrance portion of the cassette. Hence, incases where the multiplicity of magazines are arranged in a verticalrow, if one end of the holding device, which is an entrance portion forthe sheet film, is disposed in a lower portion of the holding device andthe other end, which is an exit portion, is disposed in an upper portionof the holding device, it suffices if only the one end disposed in thelower portion be made capable of corresponding to each magazine and theother end disposed in the upper portion be made to correspond to thecassette. Therefore, even when the holding device is made to correspondto a lowermost magazine, the holding device does not projectsubstantially downward from the apparatus, and the overall height of theapparatus is not made large.

In addition, in cases where the taking-out device and the holding deviceare separately movable and are made to correspond to each magazine, andthe sheet films are taken out consecutively from the same magazine, itsuffices to move only the holding device between the cassette and themagazine. Hence, the taking-out device can be set in a stationaryposition corresponding to the magazine, so that a speedy operation oftaking out and loading the sheet film becomes possible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a sheet film loadingapparatus in accordance with a first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an essential portionof the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a state in which a cover is open,illustrating the relationship of correspondence between a cassette andcover-opening pins which are a mechanism for opening the cover;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a holding means in accordancewith a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 5 to 12 are diagrams relating to a film loading apparatus inaccordance with a third embodiment of the present invention, in which

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the film loading apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the film loading apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a magazine and a tray;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the magazine and thetray;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the film supplying magazine takenalong the line IX--IX of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view illustrating a state in which a cover shownin FIG. 9 is open;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a structure forsupporting a squeeze roller;

FIG. 12 is a partly cutaway perspective view of a film package,illustrating a state of correspondence between the package and the film;and

FIG. 13 is a modification in which a taking-out means and a holdingmeans are formed integrally.

FIG. 14 is a modification in which a holding means is pivotallyconnected to a taking-out means.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates a sheet film loading apparatus 10 in accordance witha first embodiment of the present invention.

The sheet film loading apparatus 10 has a frame 11 which, together withan outer plate 11A secured thereto, constitutes a loading apparatusbody. The sheet film loading apparatus 10 has a structure in which itsinterior is shielded from light. A plurality of magazines 12 aredisposed in a lower portion of the frame 11. Sheet films F areaccommodated respectively in the magazines 12. The sheet films Faccommodated in the respective magazines 12 are of mutually differenttypes (in terms of the size and the film type). The desired sheet filmsF are loaded into a cassette 18 by means of a taking-out means 14 and aholding means 16.

However, films of different types may not need to be accommodated in therespective magazines 12. Films of an identical type may be accommodatedin a plurality of magazines if, for instance, there is a certain type offilm that is used frequently.

The arrangement of the sheet film loading apparatus 10 is such that whenthe cassette 18 is manually loaded (in the direction of arrow A) intothe sheet film loading apparatus 10 through a loading port 10A (normallyshielded) provided in an upper portion of the sheet film loadingapparatus 10, the cassette 18 is drawn in by a driving force of acassette driving mechanism 20 and is thereby disposed in the positionillustrated in FIG. 1.

As for cassette 18, shown in FIG. 3, the interior of a tray-shapedcassette body 18A serves as an accommodating portion for the sheet filmF. A cover plate 18B is pivotally supported at one end of the cassettebody 18A so as to be opened and closed. At the other end portion of thecover plate 18B a pair of claws 22 project and are adapted to engage apair of windows 18C formed in portions of the cassette body 18A so as tomaintain a state of the cassette 18A. As shown in FIG. 3, as thecassette driving mechanism 20 presses the cassette 18 against a pair ofcover-opening pins 24, the cover-opening pins 24 cause the claws 22 tobe pressed into the cassette body 18A, and the cover plate 18B to beopened by means of an urging force of an unillustrated resilient member.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, a taking-out means 26 is disposed inthe vicinity of a film inlet/outlet port of the loaded cassette 18. Uponreceiving a driving force from an unillustrated driving source a suctiondevice 28 removes a photographed sheet film F accommodated in thecassette body 18A and delivers it to conveying rollers 32. Uponreceiving a driving force from an unillustrated driving source, theseconveying rollers 32 convey the photographed sheet film F to adeveloping device 34 (in the direction of arrow B).

It should be noted that the following arrangement may be provided: Whenthe cassette 18 is loaded into the sheet film loading apparatus 10, andthe cover plate 18B is opened by the cover-opening pins 24, the coverplate 18B is opened further by an unillustrated cover opening/closingmechanism (e.g., a means disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-OpenNos. 141950/1988 and 141951/1988). Subsequently, when a new sheet film Fis loaded after the photographed sheet film F has been removed, thecover plate 18B is closed, and the cassette 18 is pushed out through theloading port 10A.

As also shown in FIG. 2, the magazine 12 is formed in a configuration ofa deep tray. A multiplicity of unexposed sheet films F are accommodatedtherein in a stacked state. An upper end surface of the magazine 12constitutes a fixed cover plate 12A for closing its half portion whichis opposite from the side close to the taking-out means 14, and itsremaining half portion constitutes a takeout opening 12B. A slide cover12C corresponds to the takeout opening 12B. The arrangement of the slidecover 12C is such that, as shown in FIG. 2, the slide cover 12C ismovable from a position in which it positively closes the takeoutopening 12B to a position in which it opens the takeout opening 12Bafter sliding and entering into a space below the cover plate 12A.

Magazines 12 are respectively accommodated, in a multiplicity of stages,on movable carriages 36 disposed within the frame 11 of the sheet filmloading apparatus 10. Each of the movable carriages 36 is formed into aconfiguration of a frame for supporting peripheral bottom portions ofthe magazine 12, and each has a pair of bent portions 36A projectinghorizontally from upper ends of both sides thereof. These bent portions36A are placed on rollers 38 whose axes are pivotally supported by theframe 11 horizontally. The standby position of the movable carriage 36is one in which it is set in the state shown by the solid line in FIG. 1with the magazine 12 loaded thereon. The position of the movablecarriage 36 for replenishing the sheet films F is one in which themovable carriage 36 is drawn out (in the direction of arrow C) afteropening a door 11B of the frame 11 as viewed in FIG. 1. Furthermore, thefilm taking-out position is when the magazine 12 has been moved in arightward direction as viewed in FIG. 1 (in the direction of arrow D)from the standby position and the takeout opening 12B has reached belowthe taking-out means 14. In order to stop the magazine 12 in apredetermined position with the sheet films F in a standby state, thebent portions 36A are provided with notches 36B. The arrangement is suchthat when the notches 36B correspond to the rollers 38, the movement ofthe movable carriage 36 is stopped.

As shown in FIG. 2, the taking-out means 14 is provided with a pair oflifting frames 122 disposed parallel to each other. These lifting frames122 are secured in parallel to each other by means of a plurality ofconnecting rods 124. A guide shaft 128 is passed through a pair of guideblocks 126 fixed to an outer side of each lifting frame 122. Inaddition, a pair of similar guide blocks 127 are also fixed to the outerside of one lifting frame 122 and are threadingly engaged with a screwshaft 132. These guide shafts 128 and the screw shaft 132 have verticalaxes. The upper and lower ends of the guide shafts 128 are secured tothe frame 11. The screw shaft 132 is pivotally supported by the frame 11and is adapted to rotate by receiving a driving force from a motor 133.Accordingly, when the screw shaft 132 rotates upon receiving the drivingforce of the motor 133, the taking-out means 14 is capable of movingupward or downward so as to cope with each of the magazines 12.

Disposed between the lifting frames 122 are a pair of suction devices136 that are secured to a shaft 135 extending between arms 134. Thesearms 134 are pivotally supported by distal ends of a pair of arm 142 bymeans of a shaft 138. The arms 142 are respectively pivotally supportedby the lifting frames 122 by means of a shaft 144. In addition, motors146, 148 for controlling the angles of rotation of the arms 134, 142 arerespectively provided on the arms 142 and the lifting frames 122. Theirrotating forces are transmitted to the arms 134, 142 by means of endlessbelts 152, 154.

As a result, as the arms 134, 142 rotate, the suction devices 136 movesubstantially vertically downward from their positions shown in FIG. 1,suck the sheet film F accommodated in the magazine 12 which is in thefilm taking-up position and then raise and move in a rightward directionso as .to send the tip portion of the sucked sheet film F to the holdingmeans 16.

A pair of pulleys 62, 64 are respectively and pivotally supported atlower portions of the lifting frames 122 by means of support shafts 56,58. An endless timing belt 66 is wound around and stretched betweenthese pulleys 62, 64. The support shaft 58 is adapted to rotate byreceiving a driving force from a motor 68 secured to the lifting frame122. A pullout pin 72 is secured to a part of the endless timing belt66, and its axis is parallel to the axes of the pulleys 62, 64 andcorresponds to an engaging arm 74 secured to a front end of the movablecarriage 36. This engaging arm 74 has a pullout pin-receiving portion74A which is open downwardly in a U-shaped configuration. When theendless timing belt 66 rotates clockwise as viewed in FIG. 1, thepullout pin 72 is accommodated in the pullout pin-receiving portion 74A.As a result, the movable carriage 36, together with the magazine 12, ispulled out to below the taking-out means 14 in the direction of arrow Dso as to assume the film taking-out position. The engaging arm 74 isprovided with a notch 74B for avoiding interference with the endlesstiming belt 66.

The movable carriage 36 is pulled out to the film taking-out position asthe pulleys 62, 64 rotate. During the course of the movement of themovable carriage 36 an arm 12D projecting upward from the slide cover12C of the magazine 12 is brought into contact with a magneticattracting piece 76 provided on the connecting rod 124 of the liftingframe 122, thereby hindering the movement of the slide cover 12C. As aresult, the magazine and the slide cover 12C which move together withthe movable carriage 36 move relative to each other, so that the takeoutopening 12B is opened. In addition, when the movable carriage 36 and themagazine 12 are returned to the standby position by the reverse rotationof the pulleys 62, 64, since the attracting piece 76 prevents themovement of the slide cover 12C by means of its magnetic force, theslide cover 12C moves relative to the magazine 12, so that the takeoutopening 12B is closed.

The holding means 16 comprises a pair of lifting frames 42 that aresecured in parallel to each other by means of a plurality of connectingrods 44, as shown in FIG. 2. The sheet film F is held between theselifting frames 42.

A guide shaft 48, whose axis is vertical and whose upper and lower endsare secured to the frame 11, is passed through a pair of guide blocks 46fixed to an outer side of each lifting frame 42. A screw shaft 52 isthreadingly engaged with a pair of similar guide blocks 47, and thisscrew shaft 52 is disposed parallel with the guide shaft 48. For thisreason, when the screw shaft 52 rotates by receiving a driving force ofa motor 54, the lifting frame 42 moves vertically up to a predeterminedposition so as to correspond to each magazine 12 and cassette 18.

A pair of upper and lower entrance clamp rollers 82 are rotatablysupported by and extend between lower portions of the lifting frames 42in parallel with each other. These entrance clamp rollers 82 are adaptedto receive the sheet film F taken out from the magazine by the suctiondevices 136 and feed the same in the direction of arrow E so as to holdthe sheet film F in a semicircularly curved shape. Similar to theentrance clamp rollers 82, a pair of intermediate portion clamp rollers84 and a pair of intermediate portion clamp rollers 86 are pivotallysupported in correspondence with an intermediate portion of the sheetfilm F and thus held in the semispherical shape. Furthermore, a pair ofexit clamp rollers 88 are provided to clamp a tip portion of the sheetfilm F held in the semicircular shape. For this reason, when a lengthysheet film F is held, a rear-end portion of the sheet film F is clampedby the entrance clamp rollers 82, an intermediate portion thereof by theintermediate portion clamp rollers 84, 86, and the tip portion thereofby the exit clamp rollers 88. In addition, the arrangement is such thateven in cases where the length of the sheet film F is short, the tipportion of the sheet film F can unfailingly be held by the exit clamprollers 88.

These exit clamp rollers 88 are pivotally supported by tip portions of apair of swingable frames 94 which in turn are pivotally supported by thelifting frames 42 by a shaft 92. A first swing link 97 is pivotallysupported at a tip of each swingable frame 94 by means of a pin 96. Theother end of the first swing link 97 is pivotally supported by a secondswing link 99 by a pin 98. This second swing link 99 is pivotallysupported by a rotating shaft 100 which is stretched between the liftingframes 42. A part of an endless belt 104 is wound around a pulley 102that is secured to the rotating shaft 100. Another portion of theendless belt 104 is wound around a pulley 108 that is secured to anoutput shaft of a motor 106 which in turn is secured to the liftingframe 42.

Consequently, when the motor 106 rotates, the second swing link 99rotates together with the rotating shaft 100, and the first swing link97 receives this rotating force and swings the swingable frame 94counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 1 (in the direction of arrow G). As aresult, the tip portion of the sheet film F moves to above theinlet/outlet portion of the cassette 18 with the tip portion clamped bythe exit clamp rollers 88. This facilitates the insertion of the sheetfilm F into the cassette 18.

As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of pulleys 114 and endless timing belts116 are disposed on the outer side of the lifting frame 42 so as totransmit a drive force from a motor 112 to the entrance clamp rollers82, intermediate portion clamp rollers 84, 86, and exit clamp rollers88.

The operation of this embodiment will be described hereinunder.

When the cassette 18 with a photographed sheet film F accommodatedtherein is loaded into the sheet film loading apparatus 10 through theloading port 10A in the direction of arrow A, the cassette drivingmechanism 20 presses the cassette 18 against the cover-opening pins 24,so that the cover plate 18B is opened as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.

Subsequently, the suction device 28 of the taking-out means 26 sucks thesheet film F accommodated in the cassette body 18A and delivers the sameto the conveying rollers 32. The photographed sheet film F is then sentto the developing device 34 so as to undergo development.

Next, a film type discrimination signal (not shown) issued by anunillustrated film discriminator attached to the cassette 18 is detectedby an unillustrated detecting means, and a sheet film F to be loadedinto the thus selected cassette is accommodated. This movement iseffected as the screw shaft 52 guiding the lifting frames 42 and thescrew shaft 132 guiding the lifting frames 122 respectively rotate byreceiving driving forces from motors 54, 133, which in turn causes thelifting frames 42, 122 to move vertically.

When the taking-out means 14 and the holding means 16 move to the sideof this specific magazine 12, the motor 68 rotates to cause the endlesstiming belt 66 to rotate clockwise as viewed in FIG. 1. As a result, thepullout pin 72 is engaged with the engaging arm 74 and moves the movablecarriage 36 from the standby position of the magazine 12 to its filmtaking-out position. In conjunction with the movement of the magazine12, the arm 12D of the slide cover 12C is brought into contact with theattracting piece 76, so that the slide cover 12C is moved to below thecover plate 12A, thereby opening the takeout opening 12B.

At this stage, as for the taking-out means, the motors 146, 148 rotate,and the suction devices 136 are pressed to an uppermost sheet film Faccommodated in the magazine 12. Simultaneously, a negative pressure ofan unillustrated negative pressure source is transmitted to the suctiondevices 136, with the result that a tip portion of the sheet film F issucked. Subsequently, the suction devices 136 are raised with therotation of the motors 146, 148 and are lifted up through the takeoutopening 12B. The sheet film F is then inserted between the entranceclamp rollers 82. At this stage, the motor 112 rotates and feeds the tipportion of the sheet film F in the direction of arrow E, and the supplyof the negative pressure to the suction devices 136 is stopped.Consequently, the sheet film F passes consecutively between the entranceclamp rollers 82 and between the intermediate portion clamp rollers 84,86. When the tip portion reaches the exit clamp rollers 88, the sheetfilm F is held by being curved in a semicircularly arcuate configurationwith its tip clamped by the exit clamp rollers 88. In order tofacilitate the smooth movement of the sheet film F between theserollers, it is preferable to provide guide plates 89 (shown by atwo-dotted dash line in FIG. 1) between adjacent pairs of the rollers onthe inner sides of the lifting frames 42.

When the sheet film F is accommodated inside the holding means 16, thesuction devices 136 of the taking-out means 14 return to their originalpositions, and the motor 68 rotates reversely so that the movablecarriage 36 returns the magazine 12 to the standby position.

At this stage, the holding means 16 is raised as the screw shaft 52rotates. Then the exit clamp rollers 88 correspond to the entrance/exitport of the cassette 18, whereupon the lifting of the holding means 16is stopped. As the motor 106 rotates, the swingable frames 94 rotatecounterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 1 (in the direction of arrow G), sothat the exit clamp rollers 88 approach the inlet portion of thecassette 18 after passing above the cover-opening pins 24. As a result,as the exit clamp rollers 88 rotate, the tip portion of the sheet film Fis positively accommodated into the cassette 18. Since the swingableframes 94 cause the exit clamp rollers 88 to approach the inlet portionof the cassette 18, the sheet film F can be loaded positively from theholding means 16 into the cassette 18 even if the cover-opening pins 24for opening the cover plate 18B of the cassette 18 are in the state ofbeing located forwardly of the cassette 18. The sheet film F can then beloaded positively from the holding means 16 into the cassette 18.

As for the sheet film F loaded in the cassette 18, since its front andback sides are inverted after passing through the holding means 16, sothat the sheet film F when loaded in the cassette 18 is inverted fromthe state in which it is accommodated in the magazine 12. That is, sincethe sheet film F needs to be loaded into the cassette 18 with itsemulsion surface facing the cover plate 18B, a film which is providedwith an emulsion surface only on one side is accommodated in themagazine 12 with this emulsion surface facing downward. Accordingly, thesuction devices 136 of the taking-out means 14 sucks the side of thesheet film F which is remote from the side where the emulsion surface isprovided, so that the sucking force exerts no adverse effect on thephotographic performance even if though the film is sensitive.

It is preferred that one-way clutches 156 are respectively providedbetween the entrance clamp rollers 82 and tile intermediate portionclamp rollers 84, 86 on the one hand, and the pulleys of the timingbelts 116 on the other so as to allow these rollers to rotate freelywhen high-speed rotation in the sheet film conveying direction istransmitted thereto. This arrangement is necessary in order to ensurethat even when the swingable frees 94 rotate counterclockwise as viewedin FIG. 1 and cause the tip portion of the sheet film F to be broughtinto proximity to the cassette 18, the intermediate portion and rear endof the sheet film F will not be respectively clamped by the intermediateportion clamp rollers 84, 86 and the entrance clamp rollers 82, whichcan otherwise apply unnecessary tension to the sheet film F.

Upon completion of the loading of the sheet film F into the cassette 18,the swingable frames 94 return to their vertical positions, and theholding means 16 prepares itself for taking out an ensuing film. In thisembodiment, however, since the taking-out means 14 is moved separatelyfrom the holding means 16, in cases where the ensuing sheet film F istaken out continuously from the same magazine 12, it is possible to keepthe taking-out means stationary in correspondence with the magazine 12.This allows the ensuing operation of taking out the sheet film F to beeffected speedily. In this case, the magazine 12 my be kept stationaryas disposed in the film taking-out position.

In the holding means 16, since the sheet film F is received by theentrance clamp rollers 82 disposed in the vicinity of the lower ends ofthe holding means 16, even if the holding means 16 moves to thelowermost position at the time of taking out the sheet film F from thelowermost magazine 12, the holding means 16 does not projectsubstantially to a level lower than the magazine 12. Accordingly, theoverall height of the sheet film loading apparatus 10 does not becomehigh.

FIG. 4 illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention. In thisembodiment, the swingable frees 94 used in the first embodiment areomitted, and the exit clamp rollers 88 are directly and pivotallysupported by the lifting frames 42. Accordingly, the motor 106 and thelike for driving the swingable frames 94 in the first embodiment are notprovided. In addition, the holding means 16 is pivotally supported by apair of outer brackets 164 by means of shafts 162. Guide blocks 46, 47are secured to these outer brackets 164, and the holding means 16 isguided by the guide shafts 48 and the screw shaft 52 so as to movevertically.

The arrangement is such that the pin 96, first swing link 97, pin 98,second swing link 99, and motor 106 are disposed on an inner side of theouter bracket 164 so that the holding means 16 will rotate about theshaft 162 by means of the driving force from the motor 106. Hence, thetip portion of the sheet film F clamped by the exit clamp rollers 88 canbe brought into proximity to the cassette 18 in the same way as thefirst embodiment. It should be noted that, in this embodiment, since theexit clamp rollers 88 as well as the intermediate portion clamp rollers84, 86 and the entrance clamp rollers 82 are moved as a unit to rotateabout the shaft 162, it is unnecessary to use the one-way clutches 156employed in the first embodiment.

The other arrangements are identical with those of the first embodiment.

In the foregoing embodiments, an arrangement has been shown in which thesheet film F is held in the holding means 16 in a semicircularly curvedconfiguration. However, it is not essential to make the entire area ofthe sheet film F into a curved configuration. Some portion of the sheetfilm F may be rectilinear. Furthermore, although in the foregoingembodiments an arrangement has been shown in which the taking-out means14 and the holding means 16 are separately moved vertically, and thesemeans may be moved vertically by being connected to each other as aunit, as shown in FIG. 13. FIG. 13 shows an arrangement in which thelifting frames 42, the taking-out means 14 and the lifting frames 122 ofthe holding means 16 are connected to each other. It suffices if thevertical guiding mechanism and the vertical driving mechanism areprovided on either of the two means 14, 16. In FIG. 13, the verticalguiding mechanism and vertical driving mechanism of the taking-out means14 are omitted.

The holding means may be pivotally connected to the taking-out means, asshown in FIG. 14. In this embodiment, the holding means 170 is pivotallyconnected to the taking-out means 14 by a pivot 172. The holding means170 has a supplementary roller 174 for swinging the holding means insuch a manner that the supplementary roller 174 engages with anunillustrated controlling member secured with the frame 11 when theholding means 170 and the taking-out means 14 reach a predeterminedposition. As shown in FIG. 14, the sheet film-supplying end portion 170Aof the holding means 170 protrudes horizontally from the rest portion ofthe holding means 170, so as to locate close to the cassette 18 forsupplying the sheet film to the cassette 18. In addition, it ispreferred that the pair of rollers 88 in the sheet film-supplying endportion 170A is provided in such a manner that a plane including thepair of rollers 88 inclines toward the cassette 18 when the holdingmeans 170 is moved to the position for supplying the sheet film to thecassette 18. Thus, the sheet film is fed downwardly from the holdingmeans 170, and is accommodated properly in the cassette 18.

FIGS. 5 to 12 illustrate a third embodiment of the present invention. Inthis embodiment, the film-accommodating magazines 12 are respectivelyplaced on trays 242 which serve as the movable carriages 36 mentioned inthe foregoing embodiments. Various parts of the sheet film loadingapparatus 10 other than these magazines 12 and trays 242 are identicalwith those of the first embodiment.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 to 9, a description will be given of themagazine 12.

As shown in FIG. 7, the magazine 12 is loaded into the sheet filmloading apparatus 10 in a state in which the magazine 12 is placed onthe tray 242 which serves as a movable carriage. As shown in FIG. 8,this tray 242 has a mounting plate 242A which serves as a portion formounting the magazine 12 thereon. A plurality of support rollers 244,which have horizontal axes, are pivotally supported by side walls 242Berected on opposite sides of the mounting plate 242A. These supportrollers 244 are guided by a pair of guide rails 246 having a U-shapedvertical section and fixed to the film loading apparatus 10 so as torender the tray 242 horizontally movable.

As a result, the tray 242 can be drawn out through a draw out opening10D formed in a front surface of the film loading apparatus 10, as shownin FIG. 6, so that the magazine can thus be moved from the standingposition to the film-replenishing position. Hence, the sheet films F canbe replenished in the magazine 12 with the tray 242 set in acantilevered state. A closure plate 242C is secured to a front side ofthe mounting plate 242A, and a gripping recessed portion 248 is formedin the closure plate 242C. This closure plate 242C serves to shield theinterior of the film loading apparatus 10 from light by closing thedrawing opening 10D with the magazine 12 inserted into the film loadingapparatus 10.

It should be noted that the door lib used in the foregoing embodimentsis not provided.

The mounting plate 242A is provided with a fixing means for supportingat a fixed position end faces of the sheet films F located on thesuction device 136 side so as to ensure that the sheet films F will beaccommodated positively in the magazine 12 even if the sizes of themagazines 12 vary. That is, a magazine body 242 is formed into arectangular box-shaped configuration, and is provided with a stopper 254corresponding to its front plate 252A and a pair of L-shaped stoppers256, as seen in a top plan view, that correspond to corner portionsformed on a rear plate 252B and side plates 252C. The stopper 254 isprovided with a notch 254A so as to prevent it from interfering with ahandle 258 secured to the front plate 252A of the magazine body 252.Furthermore, the stopper 254 has a horizontal plate 254B extending froma lower end thereof. A pair of rotating disks 262, 264 are coaxially andpivotally supported by this horizontal plate 254B by means of a pin 266.Arms 262A, 264A are respectively provided on the rotating disks 262, 264in such a manner as to project horizontally therefrom. Distal endportions of these arms 262A, 264A constitute claws 262B, 264B whichcorrespond to ratchet teeth 242D formed in the mounting plate 242A.

A torsion coil spring 268 is adapted to urge the claws 262B, 264B inmutually opposite directions to allow these claws 262B, 264B to engagethe ratchet teeth 242D. As a result, as each of the claws 262B, 264Bengages with one of the ratchet teeth 242D, the positioning of themagazine body 252 in the lengthwise direction of the film (in thedirection of arrow L in FIGS. 7 and 8) can be effected.

Operating arms 262C, 264C are respectively provided on the rotatingdisks 262, 264 in such a manner as to project therefrom. As a result,the operator is able to disengage the claws 262B, 264B from the ratchetteeth 242D by manually moving the operating arms 262C, 264C in amutually approaching direction against the urging force of the torsioncoil spring 268, thereby adjusting the position of the stopper 254 inthe direction of arrow L.

In the same way as the stopper 254, each of the stoppers 256 is alsoprovided with rotating disks 262, 264 and the like. The disks 262, 264engage the ratchet teeth 242D formed in the mounting plate 242A in adiagonal direction in terms of its longitudinal direction. As a result,the stoppers 254, 256 are adapted to positively restrict thelongitudinal and transverse movement magazine body 242 of a differentsize.

As shown in FIG. 8, an openable cover 272 is pivotally supported by themagazine body via a hinge 273. As this openable cover 272 is opened asshown by a two-dotted chain line in FIG. 8, a film package E can beaccommodated in the magazine body 252. In the same way as the firstembodiment, an opening 272A is formed in the openable cover 272 at aportion closer to the suction devices 136, and serves as a takeout portfor the sheet films F. This opening 272A is closed by a slide cover272B, and a pair of projections 272C of the slide cover 272B are adaptedto open opening 272A when they are brought into contact with anattracting piece .(see the attracting piece 76 in FIG. 2) provided onthe taking-out means 14 when the magazine moves from the standbyposition to the film taking-out position. This arrangement is similar tothat of the first embodiment.

A plurality of sheet films F are accommodated in the film package E in astacked state, as shown in FIG. 12. In addition, the state of the filmpackage E prior to accommodating the sheet films F is tubular, and afterthe films are accommodated therein, opposite end portions andintermediate portions of this tubular package are hermetically sealed toform sealed portions 274, 275, 274A. As a result, the interior of thefilm package E is shielded from light, and the sealed portions 274, 275are superposed on each other and are connected to each other via a sealtape 276, as shown in FIG. 8. A carboard 278 having a U-shaped sectionand serving as a pad is accommodated in the film package E in such amanner as to surround the ends of the sheet films F that are remote fromtheir opposite ends for being taken out by the suction devices 136inside the film loading apparatus 10. This arrangement is designed toprotect the edges of the sheet films F and facilitate the drawing out ofthe film package E.

This pad cardboard 278 may be provided with an identification mark suchas a bar code or an embossed code indicating a film size, type, and thelike. The identification mark may be read by a reading device providedin the film loading apparatus 10, In addition, this identification markmay be provided on not only the pad cardboard 278 but also the magazines12 and the trays 242.

A description will now be given of the internal structure of themagazine body 252 with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

Two groups 282, 284 of light-shielding rollers are provided in themagazine body 252 in correspondence with the longitudinally oppositeends of the sheet films F accommodated therein. These groups 282, 284 oflight-shielding rollers are respectively composed of threelight-shielding rollers 282A, 282B, 282C and three light-shieldingrollers 284A, 284B, 284C, and are pivotally supported by the side plates252C in a state in which they partially abut each other. A pair ofsqueezing rollers 288, 292 are interposed between these groups oflight-shielding rollers 282, 284 at a position closer to group 282.

As also shown in FIG. 11, these squeezing rollers 288, 292 are pivotallysupported by a pair of upright portions 294A respectively projectingfrom the opposite ends of a bracket 294. This bracket 294 is movable inthe longitudinal direction of the sheet film F (in the direction ofarrow L) by being guided by a mounting plate 296 secured to a bottomplate 252D of the magazine body 252. In other words, the longitudinaldirection of the mounting plate 296 corresponds with the transversedirection of the sheet film. F, and a pair of bolts 298 are respectivelyinserted through a pair of through holes 296A provided at opposite endportions of the mounting plate 296 so as to be secured to the bottomplate 252D. Tapped holes 302 for threadingly engaging with the mountingbolts 298 are provided in the bottom plate 252D.

A longitudinally intermediate portion of the mounting plate 290 isspaced apart from the bottom plate 252D by being bent at steppedportions 296B. A pair of elongated holes 304 extending in thelongitudinal direction of the sheet film F are provided in theintermediate portion of the mounting plate 296. Stepped bolts 306passing through through holes 294B provided in the bracket 294 arerespectively inserted into these elongated holes 304. Nuts 308 arethreadingly engaged to the tips of the stepped bolts 306. In addition, apair of bent arms 296C are integrally provided on the mounting plate 296in such a manner as to project from opposite ends thereof. A pair oftensile coil springs 312 are interposed between the arms 296C and thebracket 294.

In consequence, the squeezing rollers 288, 292 are made slidable as thestepped bolts 306 move inside the elongated holes 304 in thelongitudinal direction of the sheet film F. The stepped bits 306 remainabutting the ends of the elongated holes 304 on the side of the group oflight-shielding rollers 284 and are thereby retained.

To alter the mounting positions of the bracket 294 and the mountingplate 296, the bottom plate 252D is provided with a plurality of reservetapped holes 314 adjacent to the tapped holes 302, thereby making itpossible to alter the mounting positions of the squeezing rollers 288,292 in the longitudinal direction of the sheet film F.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, pivotally supported by a filmmounting plate 252E placed on the bottom plate 252D are two pairs ofguide rollers 318, 322 in correspondence with the transversely oppositeends of the sheet film F. These guide rollers 318, 322 are pivotallysupported vertically on the bottom plate 252D as tip portions ofmounting bolts 324, 326 which pass through their axes are threadinglyengaged with tapped holes 327 provided in the film mounting plate 252E.In order to alter the mounting positions of the guide rollers 322,reserve tapped holes 328 are provided in the bottom plate 252D, therebycoping with a change in the width of the sheet films F. FIG. 10illustrates only one set of reserve tapped holes, but additional reservetapped holes may be formed to cope with various changes in the filmwidth.

The operation of this embodiment will be described hereinunder.

When the sheet films F are to be accommodated in the magazine body 252,the tray 242 is drawn out through the draw-out opening 10D of the filmloading apparatus 10, as shown in FIG. 6. In this state, the tray 242projects from the film loading apparatus 10 in a cantilevered manner.Since the magazine body 252 is mounted on the tray 242, the operator isreadily able to accommodate the sheet films F in the magazine body 252.

In this accommodating operation, after the openable cover 272 of themagazine body 252 is opened as shown by the two-dotted chain line inFIGS. 7 and 8, the film package E with the sheet films F accommodatedtherein is accommodated in the magazine body 252. As for this filmpacket E, after cutting or removing the seal tape 276, itslongitudinally opposite ends are passed between the groups oflight-shielding rollers 282, 284, and the openable cover 272 is closedwith the opposite ends projecting from the magazine body 252, as shownin FIG. 9. In this closed state, the groups of light-shielding rollers282, 284 shield the interior of the magazine body 252 from light. Itshould be noted that, if, in the groups of light-shielding rollers, 282,284, the light-shielding rollers 282B, 282C, and light-shielding rollers284B, 284C are pivotally supported by the bottom plate 252D, and thelight-shielding rollers 282A, 284A are pivotally supported by theopenable cover 272, it is readily possible to set the film package E inthe state shown in FIG. 9 by the operation of closing the openable cover272 against the magazine body 252.

At this juncture, if the sealed portion 275 of the film package E is cutoff, the end of the film package E projecting from the group oflight-shielding rollers 284 becomes open. Then, the film package E ispulled in the direction of the sealed portion 274 (in the direction ofarrow P) and is drawn out. As a result of this drawing-out operation,the film package E passes through the squeezing rollers 288, 292, andfurther through the group of light-shielding rollers 282, and are pulledoutside the magazine body 252.

In this state, the sheet films F and the pad cardboard 278 are unable topass through the rollers 288, 292, so that the ends of the sheet films Fare not clamped plate 252E. In addition, as shown in FIG. 10, thesqueezing rollers 288, 292, together with the bracket 294, are movablein the direction of the group of light-shielding rollers 282 against theurging forces of the tension coil springs 312, but return to theiroriginal positions after the film package E has been drawn out.

As for the magazine body 252, the molting positions of the squeezingrollers 288, 292 are altered in correspondence with the size of thesheet films F to be accommodated in the magazine body 252 (see FIG. 11).In other words, if the mounting bolts 298 that are used to fix themounting plate 296 onto the bottom plate 252D are removed from thetapped holes 302, and are threadingly engaged with the reserve tappedholes 314, it is possible to cope with sheet films F of a differentsize. One can then positively dispose the longitudinally one end of thesheet films F adjacent to the group 284 of light-shielding rollers inthe state in which the film package E has been drawn out.

In addition, by making the mounting bolts 326 threadingly engage withthe reverse tapped holes 328, it is possible to make the guide rollers318, 322 correspond to the transversely opposite ends of the sheet filmsF with the film package E drawn out even in cases where width of thesheet films F is altered. In addition, since the guide rollers 318, 322are rotatable abut the mounting bolts 324, 326, the drawing resistanceexperienced at the time of drawing out the film package E can bereduced, and the moving resistance experienced at the time of taking outthe sheet film F can be reduced.

In this operation of supplying the sheet films F, it is possible toperform the operation in the state in which the sheet films F are drawnout from the film loading apparatus 10, as shown in FIG. 6, withoutneeding to remove the magazine from the film loading apparatus 10.Accordingly, the operation is easy even if the magazines 12 are hearty.In addition, it is also possible to draw out the tray 242 from the fibloading apparatus 10, remove the magazine 12 from the tray 242, andaccommodate the sheet films F in a separate plate, such as a dark room.In this case, it is possible to use films that are not inserted in thefilm package E.

Thus, after the film package E is removed from the magazine 12 and thesheet films F are accommodated in the magazine 12, the tray 242 ispushed into the film loading apparatus 10. Accordingly, closing plate242 closes the drawing opening 10D and thereby shields the interior ofthe film loading apparatus 10 from light.

The operation of the taking-out means 14 and the holding means 16 in thefilm loading apparatus 10 is similar to that described in the firstembodiment, and the sheet film F is similarly taken out from themagazine 12 and loaded into the cassette 18.

It should be noted that the structure for effecting a positioning forthe stoppers 254, 256 in the above-described embodiment is notrestricted to the rotating disks 262, 264. Various other structures canbe adopted. In addition, although the stoppers 254, 256 are adapted tobe movable so that magazines 12 of varying sizes can be mounted on anytray 242, an arrangement may be alternatively provided such that pinsprovided at different positions depending on the sizes of the magazinesare selectively inserted into a multiplicity of accommodating holesprovided in the tray, so that the film ends are always set at a fixedposition on the tray irrespective of the magazine size. Furthermore,although two pairs of rollers are used as squeezing members in theabove-described embodiment, an arrangement may be alternatively providedsuch that the film package E is passed through two pairs of guideplates.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sheet film loading apparatus for loading amagazine, and for taking out a sheet film accommodated in the magazineand for loading the sheet film into a cassette, said sheet film loadingapparatus comprising:a loading apparatus body for accommodating saidmagazine; a movable carriage for accommodating said magazine inside saidloading apparatus body; guiding means for rendering said movablecarriage slidable from a position where said movable carriage isaccommodated in said loading apparatus body to a position where saidmovable carriage is made to project from said loading apparatus body ina cantilevered manner, whereby a magazine is loaded on said movablecarriage and the sheet film accommodated inside said magazine is in astate where said movable carriage is projecting from the loadingapparatus body in the cantilevered manner; and a stopper for fixing saidmagazine accommodated in said movable carriage, said stopper beingdisposed on said movable carriage, wherein said stopper includesadjusting means for altering a magazine-mounting position relative tosaid movable carriage without requiring removal of said stopper fromsaid carriage.
 2. A sheet film loading apparatus according to claim 1,wherein said stopper includes a plurality of engaging recesses formed insaid movable carriage, and which a plurality of engaging claws that areprovided in said stopper and are respectively and selectively engageablewith said engaging recesses.
 3. A sheet film take-out apparatus fortaking out a sheet film accommodated in a magazine, said magazine beingcapable of loading a plurality of film sheets therein in a lightedenvironment, comprising:a take-out apparatus body for accommodating saidmagazine in a light-free environment; a movable carriage accommodatingsaid magazine outside of said take-out apparatus body for facilitatingloading of a plurality of film sheets and inside of said take-outapparatus body for facilitating light-free take-out of said sheets fromsaid magazine; and guiding means for rendering said movable carriageslidable from at least a first position, where said movable carriage isaccommodated within said take-out apparatus and said sheet may be takenout, to a second position, where said movable carriage is made toproject from said take-out apparatus body in a cantilevered manner,whereby a magazine may be loaded on said movable carriage and the sheetfilm to be accommodated inside said magazine is loaded in a state wheresaid movable carriage is projecting from said take-out apparatus body inthe cantilevered manner; wherein a plurality of film sheets accommodatedin a light-shielded package is loaded into said magazine.
 4. A sheetfilm take-out apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising astopper for fixing said magazine accommodated in said movable carriagebeing disposed on said movable carriage.
 5. A sheet film take-outapparatus for taking out a sheet film accommodated in a magazine, saidmagazine being capable of loading a plurality of film sheets therein ina lighted environment, said sheet film loading apparatus comprising:atake-out apparatus body for accommodating said magazine in a light-freeenvironment; a movable carriage accommodating said magazine outside ofsaid take-out apparatus body for facilitating loading of a plurality offilm sheets and inside of said take-out apparatus body for facilitatinglight-free take-out of said sheets from said magazine; guiding means forrendering said movable carriage sheet from at least a first position,where said movable carriage accommodated within said take-out apparatusand said sheet may be taken out, to a second position, where saidmovable carriage is made to project from said take-out apparatus body ina cantilevered manner, whereby a magazine may be loaded on said movablecarriage and the sheet film to be accommodated inside said magazine isloaded in a state where said movable carriage is projecting from saidtake-out apparatus body in a cantilevered manner; and a stopper,disposed on said movable carriage, for fixing said magazine accommodatedin said movable carriage, wherein said stopper is provided withadjusting means for altering a magazine-mounting position relative tosaid movable carriage without requiring removal of said stopper fromsaid carriage.
 6. A sheet film take-out apparatus for taking out a sheetfilm accommodated in a magazine, said magazine being capable of loadinga plurality of film sheets therein in a lighted environment, said sheetfilm loading apparatus comprising:a take-out apparatus body foraccommodating said magazine in a light-free environment;. a movablecarriage accommodating said magazine outside of said take-out apparatusbody for facilitating loading of a plurality of film sheets and insideof said take-out apparatus body facilitating light-free take-out of saidsheets from said magazine; guiding means for rendering said movablecarriage slidable from at least a first position, where said movablecarriage is accommodated within said take-out apparatus and said sheetmay be taken out, to a second position, where said movable carriage ismade to project from said take-out apparatus body in a cantileveredmanner, whereby a magazine may be loaded on said movable carriage andthe sheet film to be accommodated inside said magazine is loaded in astate where said movable carriage is projecting from said take-outapparatus body in a cantilevered manner; and a stopper, disposed on saidmovable carriage, for fixing said magazine accommodated in said movablecarriage, wherein said stopper is provided with adjusting means foraltering a magazine-mounting position relative to said movable carriage,and wherein said stopper includes a plurality of engaging recessesformed in said movable carriage, and a plurality of engaging claws thatare provided in said stopper and are respectively and selectivelyengageable with said engaging recesses.
 7. A sheet film take-outapparatus for taking out a sheet film accommodated in a magazine, saidmagazine being capable of loading a plurality of film sheets therein ina lighted environment, comprising:a take-out apparatus body foraccommodating said magazine in a light-free environment; a movablecarriage accommodating said magazine outside of said take-out apparatusbody for facilitating loading of a plurality of film sheets and insideof said take-out apparatus body for facilitating light-free take-out ofsaid sheets from said magazine; and guiding means for rendering saidmovable carriage slidable from at least a first position, where saidmovable carriage is accommodated within said take-out apparatus and saidsheet may be taken out, to a second position, where said movablecarriage is made to project from said take-out apparatus body in acantilevered manner, whereby a magazine may be loaded on said movablecarriage and the sheet film to be accommodated inside said magazine isloaded in a state where said movable carriage is projecting from saidtake-out apparatus body in the cantilevered manner, wherein saidmagazine comprises an openable cover having a slide cover and alight-shielding roller rotatably supported by said openable cover, and amagazine main body having a light-shielding roller rotatably supportedby said magazine main body, the interior of said magazine main bodybeing shielded by said openable cover and said light-shielding rollersin the closed state from light.